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Original poster

To buy my 5 year old a netbook?

126 replies

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:06

My DS is going to be 5 in December. DH and I have been musing over the idea of his own little netbook type thing.

We only have the one laptop and DH work one. So there is no family type computer for him to play on.

I can't think of anything else that wouldnt be a complete waste of money tbh.

He has a huge amount of toys that he is very happy with and he is not into anything specific. (I know that could change between now and his birthday)

Is it too big and expensive a present for someone so young?

Has anyone else's 5yr old got one?

OP posts:
MogTheForgetfulCat · 22/07/2011 21:55

Don't assume that all his friends in Reception will have Nintendos etc. DS1 has just finished Reception, and I haven't been aware that any of his friends have this sort of thing (although some have older siblings who do) or that they are seriously coveted. TBH, the boys mostly just run around getting muddy and making any available item into a rudimentary weapon. Think anything even vaguely sophisticated is a bit beyond them right now Grin. I wouldn't get this for a 5yo, but then I am a meanie (according to DS2, who is 3).

Original poster
AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:57

In the past he has been able to be spolit by his Grandparents but they now have 6 grandchildren to buy for so it would be wrong of me to rely on them for the big things...

I'm talking myself into it again now!

Babydubs that does look good. We bought him a fecking fisher price spike the dinosaur for 60 quid that he wouldnt go near for a year because it scared him! I was 5 days post natal and boy did I cry when he wouldnt play with it! Sad

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 22/07/2011 22:02

ds is 4 and has a netbook and a dsi. The netbook lives on the coffee table in the living room so he is supervised when using it

SpecialFriedRice · 22/07/2011 22:05

I think 5 is too young for his own computer.

I also dislike netbooks in general as if you are paying out that money for something you may as well spend a bit more and get a proper laptop.

But does he actually need the portability of a laptop/netbook. I assume he would only use it with you in the living room perhaps.

I would prob go down the avenue of buying a FAMILY desktop. IMO you get more for your money. You don't have to worry about them being dropped or falling off the sofa. And Everyone gets use from it. And it'll probably last a whole lot longer than a netbook or laptop.

Seona1973 · 22/07/2011 22:09

our desktop is upstairs though so it is easier for us to use laptops/netbook if we want to be in the same room as everyone else

BabyDubsEverywhere · 22/07/2011 22:09

We bought all the Vsmile computers for my two, but DD (nearly 3) just sint into anything like that, and DS wants something more advanced. The school have a set of Ipads the classes take turns in using, and he is a whiz on them there at nursery, I think he will be thrilled with his present this year, thats what birthdays are about Smile

Hulababy · 22/07/2011 22:11

DD had one at 6y and it was fine. before that she'd had my old laptop but it was on its last legs. The netbook is now 4 years old and still going strong. Although she now has a desktop instead as it is easier for her to do school work on and play games like Moshi Monsters - the netbook screen was becoming a little restricting esp for when she was doing things like PowerPoint or Movie Maker work where a fulls creen is better.

We still use the netbook for taking on holiday or away with us, especially for downloading photographs each night as a back up - had my camera stolen once and was gutted to lose all of our pictures.

DD always looked after her stuff, the computer included. Still looks in perfect condition.

Another reason why we got it was that we had no family computer as such, only my laptop. And tbh I didn't want to share my laptop particularly! I'd much rather spend the extra on having a seperate one for her to use, which is what we did.

Original poster
AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 22:13

I don't want a desktop in my living room though.
That's why I was liking the idea of a netbook type thing. Something that can be used only in the living room but shoved away in a drawer.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 22/07/2011 22:15

Dancergirl - I had a computer at home from the age of about 10 or 11y. The only reason it wasn't earlier was because they didn't really exist in home computing form Blush I am now 38y and have grown up just find even despite the technology that I grew up with. I am still perfectly literate, like books, have a social life and able to communicate well, have no issues that I am aware of and pretty well rounded as a person.

I hate the whole thing that people seem to thing that technology and "other stuff" are mutually exclusive!

Original poster
AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 22:19

I'm exactly the same Hulababy. I have grown up owning the old commodores and being able to play on my Dad's IBM. But still have thousands of books!

OP posts:
Hulababy · 22/07/2011 22:23

Well, I certainly don't think it has harmed me, nor does it appear to be causing any problems for DD either. Infact she is pretty nifty on the old computer these days and way more competent that DH will ever be, lol! She uses her computer for several reasons, but rarely just playing games other than to visit Moshi Monsters for a while a couple of times a week. Far more likely to be editting photographs she has taken and turning them into presentations set to music with different transition effects on Movie maker, or doing homework for school.

I really don't see it as hindering the rest of her life either - she loves books, has many friends she plays with regularly, likes to be our on her bike or scooter or just playing with friends, loves her climbing, loves to do snging and drama, enjoys Brownies, entertains herself for ages playing with Sylvanian families, ....... the list goes on.

Original poster
AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 22:26

See that's another thing for my pro list... DS has just inherited our old rather crappy camera and he loves uploading the pics he has taken and seeing them on the computer.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 22/07/2011 22:27

That was one of the first thing DD used her netbook for :)

She got a video camera for Christmas so both me and her are going to try and learn a bit more about video editting on the computer this holiday :)

Thruaglassdarkly · 23/07/2011 00:59

If he hasn't got one already, get him a trampoline (lots in the sale at the moment for around £99). Kids love those. My DD was 7 the other day and I got her lots of little bits - books, clothes, DVDs, craft stuff, a kiddie camera, a Zhuzhu pet, fairy teaset etc. She loved them all. Those kiddie cameras are a good buy, especially if they can make short films on them. The plug into the pc/laptop and you can download what they do. Get some rechargeable batteries and you're away. You can get them for 40 quid.

I just think it's too early for a netbook. You need to keep somethings back until he's older or you'll be buying him a car for his tenth Wink. Are you in commuting distance of Telford, because Wonderland is amazing for his age for a day out. Will post a link.

Thruaglassdarkly · 23/07/2011 01:00

junglelandwonderland.com/

FunkyChicken · 23/07/2011 01:26

Gosh, this thread has made me think my ds is deprived as he's almost 5 and doesn't own any kind of electronic gadget (he's watched Iplayer on my laptop!). He has never asked for any - does that make him an odd kid? Are we bad parents for only giving him access to 'ordinary' toys books etc? We are trying to raise our dc to not be obsessed with the aquisition of possesions - I know that is at odds with the society we live in but things seem OTT these days with buying STUFF just because we can. I'm surprised that you can run out of present ideas for a child who is 5 unless they already have far too many things? I find it alarming that really young children get such expensive and 'grown up' toys. Ds starts school in Sep and I'm fearing he is going to the class freak because he doesn't have an Ipad. Are we the only parents who think like this?

startail · 23/07/2011 01:32

A bit young I think. Not because he'll not enjoy supervised play now, but because he'll want/get less supervised play soon.
Believe me kids computer games are repetitive and dull, you will go and cook or tidy. He will discover iplayer and wander round utube. DH bought DD2 a laptop when she was about 8, it is her pride and joy, she spends far to much time on it.
iPlayer is a particular pain you turn the TV off and they turn it on instead. Running round my study and both bedrooms suggesting something other than TV meant exactly that is wearing.

Nihilisticbunny · 23/07/2011 01:35

Why not. Unless we take a massive step back in terms of living standards and technology, computers are going to feature heavily in your child's future. I gave dd my old laptop (she is 7) she was well away by age 5, cbeebies website and moshi monsters what not.

She still would rather play outside or with other children, she does spend time sniggering at the screen though Blush(youtube and deviantart), but then again so do I, so she is probably following my example.

Get him a netbook with very efficient netnanny on it, I have spent countless hours trying to sort out dd's laptop when she has tried to download random games and instead got a very lovely virus. I had a netnanny thing (kaspersky) but hadn't barred downloading, that is now rectified Hmm.

FuzzpigFourFiveSix · 23/07/2011 01:38

I wouldn't TBH. It isn't just the expense/protection of it, more that it's quite isolating. I'm all for children using technology but it draws them in so much. My DD (4) uses my iPhone and can play on our old DS, and while the games are great, her reaction is quite weird to watch. It's like she has tunnel vision, and she gets incredibly stroppy (by her standards anyway) when it's time to stop - this doesn't happen with any other activity. I don't let her play a lot because I'm scared she will get addicted and never do anything else instead of being her usual active self.

I like the idea of a trip instead of a big present - we have done that for my DSDs and it always went down well. FWIW though, if I were definitely going to get something big/gadgety, I'd go for a DS or similar because at least then you KNOW what they are playing, there's no chance of stumbling on a nasty website.

Eurostar · 23/07/2011 02:17

It's strange how up until a few years ago people were on the whole worried about the effect of mobile and wireless on children's health and now it's hardly ever raised.

I really do hope it is safe as we are all at it but articles like this still make me wonder..

www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/8514380/Ban-mobile-phones-and-wireless-networks-in-schools-say-European-leaders.html

mumeeee · 23/07/2011 05:05

A Nintendo DS would actually be a better present for a 5 year old than a Netbook. Net books are expensive and they can break easily. DD1 had one she's a teacher and finds it easier t transport back and forth to school than a full size laptop. But she finds it difficult to use.

itisnearlysummer · 23/07/2011 06:59

A Nintendo DS is an awful present for a 5 year old!

As is a netbook/laptop.

My DD loves having the occasional go on the cbeebies website or Education City, but probably spends 2 hours a month on it.

Lego is a far more suitable present for a 5 year old!

manicinsomniac · 23/07/2011 07:25

I don't think it would be a harmful present but I wouldn't do it purely because there's not really much to go on from from there - I mean, if you buy him a netbook aged 5 what are you going to be getting him at 11 or 12?!

My children are 4 and 8 and haven't got to the stage where they are really aware of which toys are expensive and 'cool' yet. Therefore I will get away with buying them cheap stuff for as long as I possibly can!! At 5 years old he will love a £10 toy as much as a netbook.

Original poster
AmazingBouncingFerret · 23/07/2011 07:31

I can't buy him outdoor stuff, his birthday is in December he wouldnt get chance to use it! Plus I live right next to a really good park, I'm not going to buy aload of play items for ££ when he can use those ones for free!

OP posts:
Martha85 · 23/07/2011 08:18

In my opinion 5 is far too young for any kind of computer/ console. My oldest who is 3 watches iplayer on my netbook and as he gets older will have occasional supervised access to games and things on my netbook.
He won't have his own netbook, DS, Xbox or any other games console. I feel these things can get to addictive. We all start out with good intentions to limit their usage, but I know I wouldn't keep it up. I would much rather my DC were spending their time more constructively.

If I were you I would get a few small presents and take him on a day out.